Richard Caswell, Esq., Governor, Commander in Chief of the said State. To Col. John Smith, of Johnston County, Greeting:

Herewith you will receive Twenty-three British Prisoners, whose names will be returned you by Ensign Bryan of the State Regiment. These Prisoners you are required to keep in the Town of Smithfield, as prisoners of War, until further orders. If it shall be found necessary to have a Guard on these prisoners, you are to order such guard from your Militia, observing to use as much economy as consistent with your charge.